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Saturday, July 23, 2011

Vacation Almost Over

I have been on vacation for a week and loving every minute of it. Went down to southern Maine and boy it was hot. What a wonderful place though.
Portland Head Light. So beautiful and they have walking paths for quite a while down the coast. I could lay down and snooze listening to the water hit the rocks. So relaxing.
A view from the hill. It was a great day there.
A really great quilt shop downtown Bath, ME. The ladies working there are so friendly and helpful. It was a lovely shop to stumble across. One of the ladies designs her own patterns. Beautiful. Her name is Wendy  Ulman from Wooly Moon Studio. I haven't figured out where her sight it is but working on it.
This is where I want to live when we finish paying for our son's college. Moving and college bills do not go together. But only two more years. It goes by so quickly.
The main street is lined with cute little shops of all kinds. I loved it.
The heat index on Friday was 105, which is extremely hot for us. So I get back to the hotel room and it is like a refrigerator. My son says it is so hot out side he turned on the air conditioning. Normal right?  Of course instead of turning it back down, he gets under the covers because it is just too cold. Seriously?
I stop at a flea market of just a bunch of antiques all over the place. Some good prices some not so good. Anyway since my car was packed totally full this is all I got lol. I bought this old picture, I thought for two dollars the frame was worth way more than that.
On the back it has that this lady is Thomas Commings third wife who died in 1913. She looks a little angry. :
I just fell alseep on the sofa holding the laptop so I think it is time for bed. More shops to share tomorrow when I am awake. Oh dear bed how I have missed you....
Kat

Monday, July 18, 2011

Colonial Pictures

I got a book and it has some really great colonial type pics in there. Does anyone know how to make them look old, like on canvas, or any way?
I would like to frame a few or do something with them. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Kat

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Company Coming



I guess if you set outside in the morning, enjoying the crisp air, you just never know who will come to visit. They are really big but I was scared they would step on my head so didn't want to get to close. They can run way faster than I can. I am glad a car didn't come because they seriously don't know enough to get out of the way. Maine Moose...
having a wonderful vacation so far.
Kat

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Copywrite Infringement

I know this will probably cause some people to yell at me but here goes.
I just read an article on the copyright rules. I am not quite sure I agree to it all though. I have done crafts for many many years. I make things from pattern and sometimes make things of my own. I have bought a lot of patterns and the rules are always different depending on what the writer is expecting.
HOWEVER: For instance:
We all know we see a lot of similar creations, I have bought discs full of patterns from different artists and many of them look very very similar. Is that infringement on either party?
We all see different shelves, furniture, quilts, etc. They look very similar, is that infringement? Are we infringing on Laura Engalls?
Can I give the pattern away when I am done with it? Do I have to keep it forever? I have bought many a quilt book, or paint book and I don't even know what I did with them all. Some I actually donated to the library. Is that infringement?
I don't make patterns to sell so I just don't know how to feel about all this. Lots of people make patterns of pumpkins, plain, pumpkins with funny faces, witches hats with just a little bit of the decorations changed. Is this infringement? We do needlepoint and stitcheries from designs of the 1800s, and we sell the patterns, are these infringement? Who would the infringement be against? I am pretty sure that George Washington's furniture maker probably never thought to get a copyright, never thought that years later we would be copying his designs. Should his family be getting royalties?
I for one can look at most anything and make it. A God given gift I am sure. I do still buy patterns, and give people credit if I see something they made and I design one similar. Is that infringement if I don't use a pattern? If that is the case we are all doing a little infringing.
I have seen many designs that you definitely know who designed/patterned them.
So what are your thoughts on all this, as a designer or a creator of the items? And please don't bite my head off I am just asking.
My theory on this, and speaking only about the things that I make. If you want to copy it, print it off, stare at it and draw it out yourself, I don't care. Go for it. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
If however I made a pattern, and someone copied it, like photocopied the pattern and just added a different picture to the pattern. I would then be very upset.
Thoughts anyone???????? Don't sass me though, I am just thinking out loud. Sorry if this makes anyone mad I don't mean to...
I am on vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Loving it already.
Kat

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Tolentreasures giveaway!!

OH MY! Cathy at Tolentreasures is having an amazing giveaway. She has several items in her giveaway and if you have seen her work you will know that even if you won the old paint brush that she used to create these prizes that even that would probably be great.
Go check it out, she has reached her 500th post. That is a great accomplishments. Unless you are like me and talk all the time anyway.
I hope everyone is having a great week.
Kat

Monday, July 11, 2011

Beautiful Sunsets

The thunderstorm is over and look at this beautiful sky. Red sky at night..... 
I got so much done this weekend. I cleaned my basement, some, and it feels good to empty out a lot of that junk. A couple trips to the dump today and my yard no longer looks like the community land fill. I never thought I would ever say "too many tools, too much wood" My workshop looks like a Lowe's plus store there is so much stuff down there.
NETFLIX
I love netflix, watching episode after episode of shows I have missed. I watched all of the LOST shows in just a few weeks. I watch it on my Ipad while painting in the craft room. Life is good.
I hope everyone has a great week. Three more days and I am on vacation until the 25th. wooohoooo.
Kat

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Knock Knock! Let me in, I am home!


Well wow this has been a couple of seriously crazy weeks, with my dad, work, the store. Life in general. I think I can finally take a deep breath without choking on it lol.
I have been trying to keep up with posts and such but it is very hard when life is a whirlwind. I hope everyone is having a great summer. A quiet, relaxing one. Everyone needs a few days to just do nothing. I am going to do that one of these days soon.
Some pictures:
Went to Grandfalls NB Market today and these are the Falls in Grand falls. Well they have installed this cable thing here and you can get strapped to hit and ride across the falls to the other side. Hanging in the air from a cable?????????? I THINK NOT LOL. Can you just imagine the complaints they get or the puke they would have to clean up lol
The market in Grandfalls is pretty cool. They have food, crafts, a band, and lots of people every Saturday.

Some finds from the thrift store, the crock I got at a Old Home week in a local town. They had a few vendors there. he sold me this Ft Edwards Stoneware #2 for 15. I thought it was an okay price and wanted it so I now have it. I never know how much these things should cost but I figure if I like it and I like the price, then the price is right.

The hanging ball I made with two planter thingys is filling in quite nicely. It is so heavy though I have to leave it setting on the patio table because I can't hang it lol duh, never thought of that when I was making it.

Woohoo, this pot is filling in nicely as well. I am going to make  a ceramic table top with broken plates. We shall see.

I put my box on my porch door. I added a candle but left all the stuffings as they were. I can't wait to change things for the other holidays. I really like the little candle.


A bird has laid eggs in a hole in our lawn. Doesn't even look like a nest, just a hole. We actually put a marker there so we wouldnt run over the eggs or mom while mowing the lawn. I don't know how we have missed it so far.

Weird huh

I had some garden stakes that I had to cut off so I made little shelves with the leftovers. Used some of the little peat pots and planted fake plants in them. Well planted so to speak. Make a little fence about a foot tall. Add a piece of wood for the shelf and glue on some peat pots. Add a tag and star. DONE
Well I have missed seeing what everyone has been up to and I am so happy that my life is not quite so nuts.
I hope all is well and that you are all enjoying your summer.
Kat